Contents

Maxwell Newby was born to Oriole Rosalind (née Findlater)[6] and Peter Newby on 23 November 1959 in Belper, Derbyshire — although he later claimed to be a native of Glasgow, reportedly to be "more interesting". By 1965, his parents had divorced. Although not a child actor per se, aged around seven he played "Ted" (under the name Maxwell Findlater, using his mother's maiden name) in the 1967 film, Accident. The film's screenplay was written by Harold Pinter and starred Stanley Baker, Dirk Bogarde and Michael York.[7]

The actor's American stepfather, Peter Maclaine, a former Marine, reportedly kicked Caulfield out of the house at the age of 15. Maxwell's mother had a child with Peter Maclaine, Marcus, who is Maxwell's half brother. Caulfield became an exotic dancer at London's Windmill Theatre in order to obtain an Equity card enabling him to work as an actor. Later he got his green card through his stepfather.[8] He reportedly took his stage surname, Caulfield, from the character in J.D. Salinger's novel Catcher in the Rye.[citation needed]

He has been married since 1980 to actress Juliet Mills, 18 years his senior,[7] making him son-in-law of veteran actor Sir John Mills and writer Mary, Lady Mills. He is brother-in-law to his wife's siblings, Jonathan Mills and actress Hayley Mills, and uncle to Hayley Mills' sons, Crispian Mills (lead singer of indie band Kula Shaker), and Jason Lawson. Caulfield is stepfather to Melissa (née Miklenda; Mills' daughter from her second marriage) and Sean Caulfield (born Sean Alquist; Mills' son from her first marriage).[9]

Maxwell Caulfield became a naturalized United States citizen on 5 September 1991.[10]

"Maxwell Caulfield is the ideal spider in the web", wrote one critic, saying he [Caulfield] was "as disarming of himself as he is of others - which gives this revival that tragic tinge of great comedy."[7][12]